Abstract
Trinidad and Tobago has some of the largest fishing ports aimed at supporting the industry and supplying shark meat to the international market. Over the years, scholars have realized that various measures and sustainability put in place in the region have failed to improve aquatic populations. Such investigations had identified overfishing and unsustainable practices as the leading contributors for disoriented bio-systems. To understand the causes of the declining shark population in the selected country, this investigation relied on the use of a qualitative research design guided by the interpretivism model. This study was undertaken and completed within 10 days. After completing the analysis, 42 percent of the respondents identified overfishing as the primary cause for the recorded decline. Around 21 percent and 11 percent viewed culture and seismic activities as leading causes of reduced shark populations in Trinidad and Tobago’s shorelines within the past 20 years. Around 5 percent of the respondents identified pollution as another potential cause of population decline. The consideration of proper policies, guidelines, and the promotion of the Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) framework to focus on these problems could help deliver the UN sustainable goal 11, which focuses on inclusive, resilient, safe, and sustainable regions.
Introduction
The concept of sustainability guides people to make informed decisions about scarce resources and how to manage them. Past scholars have offered numerous insights to explain the economic value of sharks and the demand for their meat. This trend has led to increased exploitation of fishing grounds, thereby affecting shark populations in various ways. Trinidad and Tobago, with is found on the southern part of the Caribbean, offers the best opportunity for learning more about sharks in the ocean. Ali et al. (2020) observed that around 30 species of sharks were presence on the shorelines of this country. In a report by the IUCN, it emerged that three of the species in the region had become endangered (Integrated Coastal Zone Management, 2019). Around nine were vulnerable and the remaining ones being threatened by a wide range of factors, including fishing and climatic changes (Partelow, 2018). In this small nation, the people promoted unique cultural attributes and practices that encouraged them to consume more fish. Marketers of this type of meat rely on the traditional value to entice more people to purchase it. In another study, Chan and Shing (2001) observed that the consumption of sharks in different parts of the Caribbean was low due to specific reasons. Specifically, some of the people believed that the predatory nature of some sharks made them inappropriate since they swallowed dangerous metals and hazardous plastics (Ali et al., 2020). In another study, these two species were observed to produce contaminated by lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic: Carcharhinus porosus and Sphyrna lewini (Partelow, 2018). These studies have succeeded to provide considerable insights about the dynamics existing in Trinidad and Tobago and how they impact shark population. However, the available evidence reveals that past scholars have not offered much regarding the factors triggering the overall decline in shark population. Such studies have also failed to examine public understanding regarding the vulnerability of certain shark species and their possibilities of becoming extinct. This research paper, therefore, answers most of these emerging questions and offer evidence-based steps that stakeholders can adopt to address the declining shark population.
Literature Review
The problems affecting oceans and bio-systems have captured attention of many researchers in the past. Coll et al. (2008) observed that fisheries could deplete both non-target and target species, thereby undermining the integrity of marine communities. Unsustainable fishing remained one of the leading causes of declining aquatic animals, such as shark and fish (Suman & Shivlani, 2013). In another study, Binder et al. (2013) revealed that most of the emerging environmental predicaments were becoming relevant and critical for scientific investigations. Some of these issues included depletion of natural resources, loss of minerals, scarcity of materials, and climate change (Binder et al., 2013). These problems were affecting the integrity of natural systems and disorienting the sustainability of aquatic species. Another study focusing on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among members of the public revealed that around 70 percent of the citizens in Trinidad and Tobago ate fish as a stable source of food (Ali et al., 2020). In the same report, 54 percent of the interviewees ate shark mark infrequently because they associated it with toxic risks due to the fact that such aquatic animals consumed dangerous materials.
The adoption and implementation of various frameworks has helped sensitize more people in the fishing industry. In a study by Soma (2003) it occurred that the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was an effective model for guiding policymakers to design better approaches and decisions. The framework was found to be “empowering, educating, focusing, and facilitating” (Soma, 2003, p. 47). This attributes meant that it could help stakeholders manage their fishing practices and make them more sustainable. The article “Sustainable Development Goal 11 and a New Urban Agenda for Caribbean Small Island Developing States: Policy, Practice, and Action” offers a detailed analysis of the initiatives many countries in the Caribbean are implementing to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, which is informed by the need to create “inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities as articulated in various governance, spatial, socio-economic, and environmental policies” (Mycoo & Bharath, 2021, p. 1). However, some gaps have emerged whereby most of the citizens lack proper resources and guidelines, thereby frustrating the efforts for sound policies and attainment of the anticipated goals. Additional challenges were observed to make such objectives unrealizable, such as increasing fishing rates and absence of support systems (Mycoo & Bharath, 2021). The article proposes the introduction of superior policies and approaches to help mitigate the recorded obstacles. From these evidences, it is agreeable that most of the policies and initiatives put in place have failed to deliver the much needed results. This is partly due to the reduced involvement of the relevant authorities and the absence of proper guidelines and resources for members of the population. Cáceres and Ali (2017) recommend the inclusion of evidence-based mechanisms that encourage all stakeholders to be involved and ready to offer the much needed support. The consideration of best practices from other regions could help address most of the sustainability issues affecting different countries in the wider Caribbean region.
Ostrom’s Social-ecological Systems Framework (SESF) is a practical model that helps researchers analyze and understand how different forces act on a given ecosystem. Ostrom’s model presents a social-ecological system comprised of a vocabulary of key concepts and terms that can promote cross-institutional evaluations and subsequent evaluations (McGinnis & Ostrom, 2014). The model outlines 8 first-level core sub-systems researchers can use to define the SES (Social, Economic, Political, and Ecosystems) interactions in a particular region. The analyst will go further to examine how the SESs interact with these four multi-linked sub-systems: resource systems, governance systems, resource units, and the actors (see Fig. 1).
The Actor in 4 Dimensions (A4D) framework has emerged as a powerful tool for analyzing social and ecological systems in a given region. The model helps analysts integrate citizens in a given community in order to analyze their views and promote environmental governance (Dancette & Sebastien, 2019). Through its application, the model guides actors to become part of the discussions. The investigator relying on the tool will denote the existing power relations “by integrating strong, weak, and absent actors in the analysis” (Dancette & Sebastien, 2019, p. 1798). This framework succeeds in highlighting reflexive and subjective elements, thereby finding it easier to conceptualize socio-ecological systems (see Fig 1). These aspects explain the A4D framework is capable of shedding more light regarding the issue of fishing in Trinidad and Tobago. The choice of this framework is informed by the notion that the selected case study is a unique location whereby the involved players appear to be greatly influenced by the existing cultural ad ecosystem services.
The A4D model is applicable to this research because it links different actors and studies how they relate to each other. In the selected locality, it is agreeable that the people interact directly with the environment. The fishing industry presents socio-ecosystems that have the potential to determine the overall integrity of the surroundings. Past studies have relied on this model to analyze the manner in which cultural groups interact with the environment. For example, Dancette and Sebastien (2019) completed a study to examine the manner in which fishermen and the relevant agencies engaged in the management of fisheries in Cape Verde. In the study, Dancette and Sebastien (2019) applied the A4D framework in Basque County with the aim of analyzing the process of gravels management. From such studies, it was evident that the actions of the people had the potential to dictate the outcomes and sustainability of the affected ecosystems. Such findings presented additional insights for learning more about ecosystems and how they could be preserved.
The findings from Cape Verde revealed that individuals played a significant role towards promoting environmental sustainability. The adoption of the SESF and A4D models help shed more light on the roles of different actors and how they engage in meaningful dialogues. The ultimate aim is to ensure that sustainability results are recorded (Dancette & Sebastien, 2019). The findings from various studies adopting the model show conclusively that the framework is capable of capturing the cultural context in Trinidad and Tobago. The strategy would help shed more light on the state of affairs in the selected locality and how the stakeholders were responding to the diminishing numbers of sharks.
Research Methods
Introduction
Research Aim and Questions
The aim of this research was to study the observable decline in shark population experienced in these areas of Trinidad & Tobago: Tiger, Mako, Hammerhead, and Manta Rays. The analysis would help answer these two research questions:
- What are the causal factors behind the sharp decline in shark population in the selected regions?
- What sustainability options and mechanisms should experts put in place to mitigate this ecological problem?
Research Design
The investigation relied on the use of a qualitative study design to establish the trends in shark population as recorded within the past two decades. This subjective approach entailed the inclusion of scientists, fishermen, and experts in Trinidad and Tobago regarding the observable decline in shark population. Interviews and researches were completed to collect adequate data and information.
Research Design/Methodology
Research Philosophy
The interpretivism model or philosophy guided this research. Specifically, the role of the expert was to complete interviews and make timely observations to learn more about shark population in Trinidad and Tobago. This method allowed the researcher to pursue the intended interests and learn more about the causes of the declining shark population in the selected regions.
Research Type
The completed research entailed the use of a qualitative approach to gather, examine, and analyze the acquired information. Without collecting numerical data, it was possible to highlight the concepts, experiences, and opinions of the respondents. Consequently, it was easier to have an in-depth analysis of the issue under investigation and offer timely deliberations for future research and preventative mechanisms to tackle the declining population of sharks in Trinidad and Tobago.
Research Strategy
To collect timely and high-quality information, the selected action plan revolved around the use of a case study focusing on Trinidad and Tobago. This area had a unique history of fishing and was also one of the regions with many ports whereby sharks remained prevalent. In terms of ethnography, the people of Trinidad and Tobago were engaging in fishing as the primary economic activity. This practice made them some of the leading exporters of fish meat in the world. They also relied on shark meat to support their cultural beliefs and ideas. Such attributes made the country the best choice for completing the study. From a phenomenological perspective, it was possible to conduct interviews and learn more about what the respondents saw or felt regarding the sharp shark population decline in the selected ports.
Time Horizon
The research approach relied on a cross sectional model to collect timely information from one point or region. This effort made it possible for the investigator to gather responses within a period of 10 days. However, the strategy remained problematic and made it impossible for the researcher to gather additional evidence, a process that could have shed more insights or findings. This amounted to a practical constrain that affected the quality of the gathered insights.
Sampling
To complete the study, a survey was conducted by using interview forms that were filled based on the responses gained from the respondents. The 10-day period made it possible for the researcher to identify different regions and involve more participants into the study. The adoption of unstructured interviewed allowed most of the participants to remain involved and offer the required information. This approach made it easier for the researcher to gather adequate data randomly and use it to make the relevant inferences. The study also entailed the collection of qualitative data from the Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville (ERIC), a leading agency that relied on the use of Baited Remote Underwater Videos (BRUVs) to assess population rates in the region.
Data Collection Methods
As described earlier, the implemented qualitative design made it easier to complete timely interviews and acquire additional insights from them. The gathered evidence was then included in the developed form and eventually used for analysis. This approach led to the production of a high-quality report that shed more light on the phenomenon observed in the area under investigation.
Data Analysis
Using a qualitative research design, data was grouped and descriptive in accordance with the interpretivism philosophy. The emerging information is presented in the “Findings” section below.
Findings
The study focused on the emerging trends regarding shark population for the last 20 years. The observations revealed that several factors had led to the recorded sharp decline. Based on the developed research design, a number of categories emerged that informed the nature of the presented data. Some of them included overfishing, pollution, cultural attributes of the people, seismic activities, and no issues (see Fig. 3). Each of the categories was assigned a frequency depending on the number of times it emerged as a leading cause for the decline in the selected region. Subcategories were also identified depending on the inputs received from the identified interviewees. For example, overfishing was subdivided into overexploitation, industrial purposes, or artisanal. Culture was categorized further to include medicine and food. Seismic activities identified during the investigation included surveys and mapping, oil exploration, and economic development. Issues to do with pollution included environmental forces and species’ inability to adapt due to the recorded changes in ecological integrity.
Fig 3: Categories and frequency
The completed analysis went further to reveal that overfishing amounted to 42 percent of the causes responsible for the declining shark population in Trinidad and Tobago. The other factors, namely pollution, seismic activities, and culture, amounted to 5 percent, 11 percent, and 21 percent respectively (see Fig. 3). The report identified such common practices as dangerous and capable of affecting the overall integrity and population of sharks in the region.
The reports obtained from ERIC offered additional findings regarding the intended research questions. For instance, Trinidad and Tobago stood out as one of the countries whereby fishing was a primacy economic activity. The ports were seeing over 150 vessels engaging in fishing activities. The institute had also selected the geographic location because it had one of the observational shark populations in the Caribbean. The recent activities aimed at exploring and drilling oil also encouraged ERIC to continue undertaking its investigations in the area (Integrated Coastal Zone Management, 2019). The agency had reported that most of the sustainability efforts were either inappropriate or ineffective, thereby continuing to affect the recovery levels for shark species (Alleng, 2014). The ongoing efforts to conserve fish and sharks in the region were met with resistance since most of the local residents relied on fishing to put food on the table (see Fig. 4). The country was also liaising or partnering with other nations, such as China, to explore the ocean and eventually help maximize its outputs or exports for shark meat.
The investigations revealed that the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy Framework was in place to support the sustainability of most of the natural resources in different ports. Unfortunately, the findings offered some of the obstacles that ICZM faced in an effort to deliver the intended outcomes (Integrated Coastal Zone Management, 2019). For instance, majority of the people were only focusing on fishing since it contributed significantly to their social, cultural, and economic objectives (see Fig. 5). The efforts different agencies and partners had put in place were ineffective, thereby continuing to contribute to the sharp decline in shark population in the selected area.
Discussions
The completed research presented various insights regarding the population of shark species in Charlottesville over the last two decades. For instance, the investigations revealed that the early 1990s were characterized by abundant shark population. Majority of the identified individuals indicated that people were not willing to swim because they feared such animals. The report by ERIC offered a number of historical facts regarding the history of fishing in the region and how it had impacted on aquatic life. The research revealed that the government of Trinidad and Tobago chose to give fishing rights to the China between 1996 and 1997 (Integrated Coastal Zone Management, 2019). Within less than a year, the shark population in the selected region had reduced significantly, thereby encouraging more people to swim. Some of the mostly affected sharks by the fishing rights at the time included the reef and pelagic migratory species (Alleng, 2014). Because of the increasing level of fishing, Trinidad and Tobago would eventually become one of the leading suppliers of shark fins to consumers in different parts of the world, such as Singapore.
The investigations revealed that overfishing was a common malpractice as most of the people were interested in achieving their economic aims. Some of the people were keen to acquire shark meat as part of their cultural practices and receive healing abilities. Such developments were to blame for the reduced levels of shark species in the coast line. The promotion of oil surveying and exploration activities in the region had resulted in reducing number of sharks. Most of the activities compelled most of the species to migrate to other regions (Mycoo & Bharath, 2021). There was also a strong connection between such activities and the interference of aquatic life.
The increasing number of fishing vessels in the selected area of study was a testimony to the sharp decline of shark population within the past20 years. ERIC had selected the region due to the recorded challenges and present timely strategies to improve sustainability. According to the findings, most of the efforts government agencies had put in place to achieve the UN sustainability goals had not delivered timely results. Without proper mechanisms and incentives, the coastlines of Trinidad and Tobago had continued to record increasing cases of sea pollution and contamination. People continued to fish without considering the possible implications of their efforts and actions (Mycoo & Bharath, 2021). These issues, therefore, contributed significantly to the overall decline in shark population in the selected area for this study.
While a number of SES frameworks exist in the area, including the efforts ERIC has been undertaking over the years, the population of sharks has been declining. It would, therefore, be appropriate to consider a better framework that can help transform the situation and deal with the reducing shark population. Based on the recorded findings, the Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) stands out as an effective model for helping stakeholders address this problem (Binder et al., 2013). This framework seeks to support the development of “an improved understanding of, indicators for, and appropriate responses to impact of human activities on the environment along the causal chain-drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses” (p. 6). When applied, more people in the region will be able to understand the nature of the promoted actions and how they affect shark population.
Study Limitations
The completed study succeeded in offering additional insights regarding the issues affecting the sustainability of Trinidad and Tobago’s fishing ports. However, some limitations were observable that affected the overall integrity of the presented results. For instance, the limited timeframe of 10 days was inadequate for the study, thereby affecting the integrity and nature of the final observations. The random and small sample size considered for the study limited the percentage of the responses different participants offered. A bigger sample would have ensured that the study was integrated and capable of delivering high-quality findings (Binder et al., 2013). These approaches only allowed the investigator to interview a small number of people.
Conclusions and Future Steps
Trinidad and Tobago remains the best destination for monitoring shark population, examining the effectiveness of sustainability measures, and analyzing the factors leading to the disorientation of biodiversity. The completed study revealed that 42 percent of the respondents viewed overfishing as the major cause of shark population decline. Other notable reasons or factors included seismic activities, people’s culture, and pollution. Most of the sustainability measures different agencies had put in place, such as ERIC, had not delivered sustainable results.
The outlined solutions appear workable and capable of helping the selected region to recover from overfishing. The proposed solutions need to be addressed through the power of government policies. The inclusion of proper policies and agencies will ensure that timely results are eventually recorded. However, the potential drawback is that some of the people might be unwilling to support the implementation of such guidelines. Another one is that the affected coastlines could take longer to support the recovery of fish populations. However, these proposals are timely and resonate with the challenges recorded in the country.
Based on the presented literature review, the government should consider new policies capable of addressing the challenge of sustainability. Such interventions should be aimed at controlling the nature of seismic activities promoted in the region, tackle challenges of pollution, and maximize stakeholder participation to address the challenge of overfishing. Both the AHP and KAP approaches could help sensitize and empower more people to start focusing on this problem and implement superior measures to protect the declining shark population in Trinidad and Tobago.
References
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